What's new at The Loft - Episode 74

Macro 3.6.5. Challenge

Cuban Brown Anole

ISO 400, f/7.1, 1/200th Second

The Brown Anole, Anolis sagrei (or Norops sagrei) is a lizard native to Cuba and the Bahamas. It has been widely introduced elsewhere, and is now found in Florida and as far north as Southern Georgia, Texas, Taiwan, Hawaii, Southern California and other Caribbean islands.

Male brown anoles tend to do "push-ups" and bob their heads when they're angry, when they're ready to fight, and when they're trying to attract mates.  They are athletic creatures that run fast, and jump many times their length. They can also climb straight up almost any surface at blinding speed.  They also shed their skin and as a defense mechanism, can voluntarily drop off most of their tails when pursued or captured by the tail. The bit that breaks off thrashes around, distracting the predator as the anole makes its escape. The lost tail will then partially grow back.

This species is highly invasive and feed on insects such as crickets, grasshoppers, roaches, spiders, mealworms, and waxworms.  If handled by a human, they will bite, however the brown anole gets used to humans and can be studied at close range. 


Hope you liked today's picture.  I'd love to hear your comments about the photo or Anoles, so drop me a note and give me your thoughts.  Thanks for stopping by and come back soon.